Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device including: a substrate including a first region and a second region; a signal line on the substrate and including a first layer and a second layer that overlap each other; and a first insulating layer between the substrate and the signal line, wherein a first organic layer may be between the first layer and the second layer in the first region, and the first layer and the second layer may be in direct contact with each other in the second region, and the first insulating layer may be disposed in an area in which the first organic layer is.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0014468 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Feb. 4, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma displaypanel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, and thelike.

The LCD includes two display panels in which field generatingelectrodes, such as pixel electrodes and common electrodes, areincluded, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the displaypanels. An electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer byvoltages applied to the field generating electrodes. By adjusting anintensity of the electric field, a transmittance of light passingthrough the liquid crystal layer is controlled so that an image may bedisplayed.

The OLED display, which is a self-emissive type of display device,includes two electrodes facing each other and an organic layerinterposed between the electrodes. In the OLED display, holes injectedfrom an anode and electrons injected from a cathode are combined in anemission layer to generate excitons. The generated excitons releaseenergy to emit light.

The OLED display, the LCD, etc. may be configured as a foldable displaydevice by using a bendable substrate.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a displaydevice including: a substrate including a first region and a secondregion; a signal line on the substrate and including a first layer and asecond layer that overlap each; and a first insulating layer between thesubstrate and the signal line, wherein a first organic layer may bebetween the first layer and the second layer in the first region, andthe first layer and the second layer may be in direct contact with eachother in the second region, and the first insulating layer may be in anarea in which the first organic layer is.

The first insulating layer may be a first inorganic layer including aninorganic material, and the first layer may include a bent portion inthe first groove.

The first region may be bendable.

The signal line may include a third layer, and a second organic layermay be between the second layer and the third layer.

The signal line may include a fourth layer, and a third organic layermay be between the third layer and the fourth layer.

The display device may further include a second inorganic layeroverlapping the first inorganic layer with the signal line therebetween,wherein the second inorganic layer includes a second groove in an areain which the second organic layer is.

The display device may further include a second inorganic layeroverlapping the first inorganic layer with the signal line therebetween,wherein the second inorganic layer may include a second groove in thearea in which the first organic layer is, and the first organic layermay be in the second groove.

The display device may further include a second inorganic layeroverlapping the first inorganic layer with the signal line therebetween,wherein the second inorganic layer may include a second groove in thearea in which the first organic layer is, and the second organic layermay be in the second groove.

A plurality of the first regions may be provided.

The signal line may include only one of the first layer and the secondlayer in a portion of the second region.

The first insulating layer may be a fourth organic layer including anorganic material.

The first layer and the second layer may overlap each other in adirection substantially perpendicular to the substrate.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a displaydevice including: a substrate including a first region and a secondregion; a signal line on the substrate and including a first layer and asecond layer that overlap each other; and a first inorganic layeroverlapping the substrate with the signal line therebetween, wherein afirst organic layer may be between the first layer and the second layerin the first region, and the first layer and the second layer may be indirect contact with each other in the second region, and the firstinorganic layer may include a first groove in an area in which the firstorganic layer is.

The second layer may include a bent portion positioned in the firstgroove.

The first region may be bendable.

The signal line may include a third layer, and a second organic layermay be between the second layer and the third layer.

The signal line may include a fourth layer, and a third organic layermay be between the third layer and the fourth layer.

The first layer and the second layer may overlap each other in adirection substantially perpendicular to the substrate.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a displaydevice including: a substrate; a first insulating later on thesubstrate, wherein the first insulating layer includes a groove with twostep-like sidewalls facing each other; a signal line including a firstlayer and a second layer on the substrate; and an organic layer betweenthe first and a second layers in the groove.

The first and second layers may directly contact each other away fromthe groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 schematically illustrate a state in which a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isbent, respectively.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 13 illustrate cross-sectional views of a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. As thoseskilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may bemodified in various different ways, and thus, should not be limited tothe embodiments set forth herein.

Like reference numerals may designate like elements throughout thespecification.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,may be exaggerated for clarity.

Further, throughout the specification, it will be understood that whenan element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to asbeing “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may also be present. Further, throughout thespecification, the phrase “in a plan view” may mean viewing a targetportion from the top, and the phrase “in a cross-sectional view” maymean viewing a cross-section formed by vertically cutting a targetportion from the side.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.1 to FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 and FIG.3 schematically illustrate a state in which a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is bent,respectively.

A display device 1000 includes a substrate 110 including a first region(A) and a second region (B). The first region (A) of the substrate 110may be bent, and the second region (B) of the substrate 110 may be aregion other than the first region (A). The second region (B) of thesubstrate 110 is not bent, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the second region (B) may be bent. When the secondregion (B) of the substrate 110 is bendable, the second region (B) maybe bent to have a relatively greater curvature radius compared to thefirst region (A).

The substrate 110 may be made of a flexible and insulating material. Thesubstrate 110 may include a thin glass, polyethersulfone (PES),polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),polyarylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate(TAC), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). However, materialsincluded in the substrate 110 are not limited thereto. For example, thesubstrate 110 may include other materials that are flexible.

A first insulating layer is positioned on the substrate 110. Forexample, the first insulating layer may be a first inorganic layer 120a. The first inorganic layer 120 a may include an inorganic materialsuch as a silicon nitride (SiNx), a silicon oxide (SiOx), etc. In FIG.1, although it is illustrated that the first inorganic layer 120 a isformed as a single layer, the inorganic layer 120 a may include morethan one layer, and when it is made of more that one layer, the layersthereof may be made of the same material or different materials.

A signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganic layer 120 a. Thesignal line 130 includes a first layer 130 a and a second layer 130 bstacked in a direction perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) tothe substrate 110. In the first region (A), a first organic layer 140 ais positioned between the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b.However, in the second region (B), the first layer 130 a and the secondlayer 130 b are in direct contact with each other. For example, thefirst layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b directly contact each otherand extend in the second region (B), whereas a gap between the firstlayer 130 a and the second layer 130 b expands in the first region (A).The first organic layer 140 a is positioned in the expanded gap.Accordingly, in the first region (A), the first layer 130 a and thesecond layer 130 b are respectively positioned at different heights withrespect to the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

The first organic layer 140 a may include an organic material such as apolyacrylate resin, a polyimide resin, etc.

The first inorganic layer 120 a includes a first groove 121 formed in aregion in which the first organic layer 140 a is positioned. The firstinorganic layer 120 a may be mostly removed from the first region (A).But, for example, some of the first inorganic layer 120 a may remainsuch that the first groove 121 may be formed.

The first layer 130 a of the signal line 130 is positioned in (or on)the first groove 121 in the first region (A). In this case, the firstlayer 130 a has a bent portion corresponding to a surface of the firstgroove 121. In addition, the first organic layer 140 a is positioned onthe first groove 121.

The first region (A) and the second region (B) may also be in thesubstrate 110.

The first region (A) is a region that may be bendable, and the secondregion (B) of the display device 1000 is a region other than the firstregion (A). The first region (A) may be positioned in one direction inthe substrate 110. Herein, the one direction may be any direction on aplane surface of substrate 110; however, the direction in which thefirst region (A) is arranged is not limited to a particular direction.For example, the substrate 110 may have a rectangular shape in a planarview, and in this case, the one direction in which the rectangularsubstrate 110 is bent corresponds to a direction parallel to a long orshort side of the substrate 110. For example, the substrate 110 may bebent in a short or long side direction in a planar view. The secondregion (B) is not bent, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the second region (B) may be a bendable region.When the second region (B) is bendable, the second region (B) may bebent to have a relatively greater curvature radius compared to the firstregion (A).

Referring to FIG. 2, in opposite sides of the display device 1000, thedisplay device 1000 may be bent along the first region (A). The firstregion (A) along which the display device 1000 is bent may have astraight line shape parallel to the short side direction of the displaydevice 1000, for example.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display device 1000 may include a plurality offirst regions (A), and may be bent at each of the plurality of firstregions (A). As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 1000 is bent twicealong two first regions (A), wherein each of the bent two first regions(A) has the straight line shape parallel to the short side direction ofthe display device 1000.

A shape in which the display device 1000 is bent is not limited to thoseshown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. For example, the display device 1000 may bebent along the first regions (A) with the straight line shape parallelto the long side direction, the two first regions (A) mayperpendicularly cross each other, and positions of the two first regions(A) prior to and/or after bending may be asymmetrical. In addition,three or more first regions (A) may be provided with the display device1000.

The display device 1000 further includes a switching transistor, adriving transistor, and an organic light emitting diode.

The switching transistor includes a first semiconductor layer includinga first source region, a first drain region, and a first channel region,a gate line including a first control electrode overlapping the firstchannel region, a data line including a first input electrode connectedto the first source region, and a first output electrode including oneside thereof connected to the first drain region and the other sidethereof connected to the driving transistor.

The driving transistor includes a second semiconductor layer including asecond source region, a second drain region, and a second channelregion, a second control electrode that is connected to the first outputelectrode and overlaps the second channel region, a driving voltage lineincluding a second input electrode connected to the second sourceregion, and a second output electrode having one side connected to thesecond drain region and another side connected to the organic lightemitting diode.

The organic light emitting diode includes an anode connected to thesecond output electrode and a cathode to which a common voltage isapplied.

The switching transistor transmits a data signal applied to the firstinput electrode through the data line to the driving transistor throughthe first output electrode in response to a gate signal applied to thefirst control electrode through the gate line. The driving transistorsupplies an output current that is varied according to a voltage appliedbetween the second control electrode and the second output electrode tothe organic light emitting diode through the second output electrode.The organic light emitting diode variously emits light according to anoutput current of the driving transistor, thereby displaying an image.

A gate insulating layer may be positioned at an upper or lower portionof the gate line. The gate insulating layer may prevent contamination ofthe gate line. An interlayer insulating layer may be positioned betweensignal lines such as the gate line, the data line, and the drivingvoltage line, or between the signal line and the semiconductor layer.The interlayer insulating layer may also prevent contamination of thegate line.

The aforementioned signal line 130 may be the gate line, and the firstinsulating layer 120 a may be the gate insulating layer.

Alternatively, the signal line 130 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention may be the data line or the driving voltageline, and the first insulating layer 120 a may be the interlayerinsulating layer.

When a display device is bent, stress occurs at the display device. Forexample, tensile stress occurs at its convex outer side and compressivestress occurs at its concave inner side, while a neutral plane (at whichno stress occurs) is present in an intermediate region therebetween.When tensile stress or compressive stress is applied to an inorganiclayer, the inorganic layer is easily broken, thus stress is applied to asignal line which is positioned at an upper or lower portion of theinorganic layer. In addition, when the signal line leaves the neutralplane due to bending of the display device such that it moves up ordown, stress is also applied to the signal line, such that the signalline may be cut off. In other words, a signal transmitted along thesignal line, may not reach its destination due to the break.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible to prevent stress from being applied to a signal line due tobending. This is done, for example, by removing at least some of aninorganic layer (which may be easily broken due to the stress) in aregion in which a display device is bent, forming a groove therein, andfilling the groove with an organic layer that is immune to stress.

Further, in the region in which the display device is bent, at leastsome of the signal line may be positioned to be close to the neutralplane while bending. This is done, for example, by forming the signallines in a plurality of layers so that the signal lines may berespectively positioned at different heights with respect to a directionperpendicular to the substrate. Accordingly, even though some layers ofthe signal lines are cut off due to the bending, quality deteriorationof the display device may be prevented by utilizing the other layers ofthe signal lines.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.4. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 3 may be omitted.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110. Thefirst inorganic layer 120 a includes the first groove 121 formed in thefirst region (A). The signal line 130 is positioned on the firstinorganic layer 120 a. The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130a, the second layer 130 b, and a third layer 130 c stacked in adirection perpendicular to the substrate 110.

The first organic layer 140 a is positioned between the first layer 130a and the second layer 130 b that are positioned in the first groove 121of the first region (A). A second organic layer 140 b is positionedbetween the second layer 130 b and the third layer 130 c that arepositioned in the first groove 121 of the first region (A).

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b,and the third layer 130 c are in direct contact with each other. In thefirst region (A), the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b, and thethird layer 130 c are respectively positioned at different heights withrespect to the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.5. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 4 may be omitted.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110, andthe signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganic layer 120 a.The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130b, the third layer 130 c, and a fourth layer 130 d stacked in thedirection perpendicular to the substrate 110.

In the first region (A), the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b. In the firstregion (A), the second organic layer 140 b is positioned between thesecond layer 130 b and the third layer 130 c. In the first region (A), athird organic layer 140 c is positioned between the third layer 130 cand the fourth layer 130 d.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b,the third layer 130 c, and the fourth layer 130 d are in direct contactwith each other. In the first region (A), the first layer 130 a, thesecond layer 130 b, the third layer 130 c, and the fourth layer 130 dare respectively positioned at different heights with respect to thedirection perpendicular to the substrate 110.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.6. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5 may be omitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110, andthe signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganic layer 120 a.The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130b, and the third layer 130 c stacked in the direction perpendicular tothe substrate 110. The first layer 130 a includes a bent portionpositioned in the first groove 121.

In the first region (A), the first inorganic layer 120 a includes thefirst groove 121, and the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b in a regioncorresponding to the first groove 121. The second organic layer 140 b ispositioned between the second layer 130 b and the third layer 130 c in aregion corresponding to the first groove 121 of the first region (A). Inthe first region (A), the first organic layer 140 a and the secondorganic layer 140 b overlap each other in the direction perpendicular tothe substrate 110.

A second inorganic layer 120 b is positioned on the third layer 130 c.The second inorganic layer 120 b includes a second groove 122corresponding to the second organic layer 140 b. Although most of thesecond inorganic layer 120 b is removed from the first region (A), someof the second inorganic layer 120 b may remain such that the secondgroove 122 may be formed. The third layer 130 c is positioned on thesecond organic layer 140 b and includes a bent portion in conformitywith a surface of the second organic layer 140 b. The bent portion ofthe third layer 130 c is positioned in the second groove 122 of thesecond inorganic layer 120 b and may include a convex portion withsubstantially the same height as that of a surface of the secondinorganic layer 120 b.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b,and the third layer 130 c are in direct contact with each other. In thefirst region (A), the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b, and thethird layer 130 c are respectively positioned at different heights withrespect to the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.7. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 6 may be omitted.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110, andthe signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganic layer 120 a.The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130 a and the second layer130 b stacked in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110. Inthe first region (A), the first layer 130 a is positioned in the firstgroove 121, and includes a bent portion corresponding to a surface ofthe first groove 121.

The first organic layer 140 a is positioned between the first layer 130a and the second layer 130 b in a region corresponding to the firstgroove 121 of the first region (A). The first organic layer 140 a ispositioned within the first groove 121.

The second inorganic layer 120 b is positioned on the second layer 130b. The second inorganic layer 120 b includes the second groove 122formed in a region in which the first organic layer 140 a is positioned.The second inorganic layer 120 b may be mostly removed from the firstregion (A), and some of the second inorganic layer 120 b may remain suchthat the second groove 122 may be formed.

The second layer 130 b includes a bent portion along a surface of thefirst organic layer 140 a, and the bent portion of the second layer 130b is positioned in the second groove 122 of the second inorganic layer120 b. The bent portion of the second layer 130 b may include a convexportion with substantially the same height as that of a surface of thesecond inorganic layer 120 b.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130b are in direct contact with each other. In the first region (A), thefirst layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b are respectively positionedat different heights with respect to the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.8. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 7 may be omitted.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110, andthe signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganic layer 120 a.The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130 a and the second layer130 b stacked in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110. Inthe first region (A), the first layer 130 a is positioned in the firstgroove 121, and includes a bent portion along a surface of the firstgroove 121.

In the first region (A), the first inorganic layer 120 a includes thefirst groove 121, and the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b in a regioncorresponding to the first groove 121.

The second inorganic layer 120 b is positioned on the second layer 130b. The second inorganic layer 120 b includes the second groove 122formed in a region in which the second organic layer 140 b ispositioned. The second inorganic layer 120 b may be mostly removed fromthe first region (A), but some of the second inorganic layer 120 b mayremain to form the second groove 122. The second organic layer 140 b ispositioned in the second groove 122 to cover the second layer 130 b.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130b are in direct contact with each other. In first region (A), the firstlayer 130 a and the second layer 130 b are respectively positioned atdifferent heights with respect to the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.9. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 8 may be omitted.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the substrate 110. Inthe first region (A), the first inorganic layer 120 a includes the firstgroove 121. The signal line 130 is positioned on the first inorganiclayer 120 a. The signal line 130 includes the first layer 130 a and thesecond layer 130 b stacked in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110. In the first region (A), the first layer 130 a ispositioned in the first groove 121, and includes a bent portion on asurface of the first groove 121.

The first organic layer 140 a is positioned between the first layer 130a and the second layer 130 b in a region corresponding to the firstgroove 121 of the first inorganic layer 120 a.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130b are in direct contact with each other. In the second region (B), aportion of the signal line 130 may include only the first layer 130 aand not the second layer 130 b. For example, that portion of the signalline 130 may include the first layer 130 a and not the second layer 130b. In the first region (A), the first layer 130 a and the second layer130 b are respectively positioned at different heights with respect tothe direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

Alternatively, in the second region (B), a portion of the signal line130 may include only the second layer 130 b and not the first layer 130a. For example, that portion of the signal line 130 may include thesecond layer 130 b and not the first layer 130 a. In the second region(B) in which the display device is not bent, when the signal line 130consists of one of the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b, itis possible to reduce a thickness of the display device. Although theaforementioned discussion was made in reference to a signal line withtwo layers, when the signal line consists of three or more layers, thesecond region (B) may include only one of the three or more layers.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.10. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 9 may be omitted.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The signal line 130 is positioned on the substrate 110. The signal line130 includes the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b stacked inthe direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

In the first region (A), the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the second layer 130 b.The first inorganic layer 120 a includes the first groove 121 formed ina region corresponding to the first organic layer 140 a. The secondlayer 130 b includes a bent portion along a surface of the first organiclayer 140 a. The bent portion of the second layer 130 b is positioned inthe first groove 121 of the first inorganic layer 120 a and may includea convex portion with substantially the same height as that of a surfaceof the second inorganic layer 120 a.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.11. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 10 may be omitted.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The signal line 130 is positioned on the substrate 110. The signal line130 includes the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b, and thethird layer 130 c stacked in the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

In the first region (A), the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b. In the firstregion (A), the second organic layer 140 b is positioned between thesecond layer 130 b and the third layer 130 c.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the third layer 130 c.The first inorganic layer 120 a includes the first groove 121 formed ina region in which the first organic layer 140 a and the second organiclayer 140 b are positioned. The second layer 130 b includes a bentportion conformally formed on a surface of the first organic layer 140a, and the third layer 130 c includes a bent portion conformally formedon a surface of the second organic layer 140 b. The bent portion of thesecond layer 130 b and the bent portion of the third layer 130 c arepositioned in the first groove 121 of the first inorganic layer 120 a.The bent portion of the third layer 130 c may include a convex portionwith substantially the same height as that of a surface of the firstinorganic layer 120 a.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.12. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 11 may be omitted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The signal line 130 is positioned on the substrate 110. The signal line130 includes the first layer 130 a, the second layer 130 b, the thirdlayer 130 c, and the fourth layer 130 d stacked in the directionperpendicular to the substrate 110. In the first region (A), the firstorganic layer 140 a is positioned between the first layer 130 a and thesecond layer 130 b. The second layer 130 b includes a bent portioncorresponding to a surface of the first organic layer 140 a. In thefirst region (A), the second organic layer 140 b is positioned betweenthe second layer 130 b and the third layer 130 c. The third layer 130 cincludes a bent portion corresponding to a surface of the second organiclayer 140 b. In the first region (A), the third organic layer 140 c ispositioned between the third layer 130 c and the fourth layer 130 d. Thefourth layer 130 d includes a bent portion corresponding to a surface ofthe third organic layer 140 c.

The first inorganic layer 120 a is positioned on the fourth layer 130 d.The first inorganic layer 120 a includes the first groove 121 formed ina region in which the first organic layer 140 a, the second organiclayer 140 b, and the third organic layer 140 c are positioned. The bentportion of the fourth layer 130 d, the bent portion of the third layer130 c, and the bent portion of the second layer 130 b are positioned inthe first groove 121 of the first inorganic layer 120 a. The bentportion of the fourth layer 130 d may include a convex portion withsubstantially the same height as that of a surface of the firstinorganic layer 120 a.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.13. Descriptions of elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1to 12 may be omitted.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A first insulating layer is positioned on the substrate 110. Forexample, the first insulating layer may be a fourth organic layer 140 d.The fourth organic layer 140 d includes a third groove 141 formed in aregion in which the first organic layer 140 a is positioned. The signalline 130 is positioned on the fourth organic layer 140 d. The signalline 130 includes the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 bstacked in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 110.

In the first region (A), the first organic layer 140 a is positionedbetween the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b. In the firstregion (A), the first layer 130 a is positioned in the third groove 141,and may include a bent portion along a surface of the third groove 141.

In the second region (B), the first layer 130 a and the second layer 130b are in direct contact with each other. In the first region (A), thefirst layer 130 a and the second layer 130 b are respectively positionedat different heights with respect to the direction perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, byincreasing resistance against deformation, performance of the displaydevice may be maintained without being deformed or broken by a bendingaction, for example. In other words, a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention has characteristics thatmay not deteriorate by a folding action.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to theexemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, andmay be variously modified. For example, although the present inventionhas been described while referring to the organic light emitting device,the present invention may be applied to the signal lines of a variety ofdisplay devices including a liquid crystal display, a plasma displaydevice, and the like.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a substrateincluding a first region and a second region; a signal line on thesubstrate and including a first layer and a second layer that overlapeach other; and a first insulating layer between the substrate and thesignal line, wherein a first organic layer is between the first layerand the second layer in the first region, and the first layer and thesecond layer are in direct contact with each other in the second region,and the first insulating layer includes a first groove in an area inwhich the first organic layer is.
 2. The display device of claim 1,wherein the first insulating layer is a first inorganic layer includingan inorganic material, and the first layer includes a bent portion inthe first groove.
 3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the firstregion is bendable.
 4. The display device of claim 3, wherein the signalline includes a third layer, and a second organic layer is between thesecond layer and the third layer.
 5. The display device of claim 4,wherein the signal line includes a fourth layer, and a third organiclayer is between the third layer and the fourth layer.
 6. The displaydevice of claim 4, further comprising: a second inorganic layeroverlapping the first inorganic layer with the signal line therebetween,wherein the second inorganic layer includes a second groove in an areain which the second organic layer is.
 7. The display device of claim 3,further comprising: a second inorganic layer overlapping the firstinorganic layer with the signal line therebetween, wherein the secondinorganic layer includes a second groove in the area in which the firstorganic layer is, and the first organic layer is in the second groove.8. The display device of claim 3, further comprising: a second inorganiclayer overlapping the first inorganic layer with the signal linetherebetween, wherein the second inorganic layer includes a secondgroove in the area in which the first organic layer is, and the secondorganic layer is in the second groove.
 9. The display device of claim 3,further comprising: a plurality of the first regions.
 10. The displaydevice of claim 3, wherein the signal line includes only one of thefirst layer and the second layer in a portion of the second region. 11.The display device of claim 1, wherein the first insulating layer is afourth organic layer including an organic material.
 12. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer overlapeach other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate.13. A display device, comprising: a substrate including a first regionand a second region; a signal line on the substrate and including afirst layer and a second layer that overlap each other; and a firstinorganic layer overlapping the substrate with the signal linetherebetween, wherein a first organic layer is between the first layerand the second layer in the first region, and the first layer and thesecond layer are in direct contact with each other in the second region,and the first inorganic layer includes a first groove in an area inwhich the first organic layer is.
 14. The display device of claim 13,wherein the second layer includes a bent portion in the first groove.15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the first region isbendable.
 16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the signal lineincludes a third layer, and a second organic layer is positioned betweenthe second layer and the third layer.
 17. The display device of claim16, wherein the signal line includes a fourth layer, and a third organiclayer is between the third layer and the fourth layer.
 18. The displaydevice of claim 13, wherein the first layer and the second layer overlapeach other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate.19. A display device, comprising: a substrate; a first insulating lateron the substrate, wherein the first insulating layer includes a groovewith two step-like sidewalls facing each other; a signal line includinga first layer and a second layer on the substrate; and an organic layerbetween the first and a second layers in the groove.
 20. The displaydevice of claim 19, wherein the first and second layers directly contacteach other away from the groove.